Stephen King Fans discussion

I’ve been wanting to read It for a long time but just getting to it now. Anyone interested in starting a buddy read this week?

I am currently reading It. Are you still reading it?

Yes, I’m about a third of the way in. How far are you? Are you enjoying it?

I am in Chapter 9, Stan Uris is telling Bev, Ben, and Eddie about his first encounter with IT. I am enjoying the book very much. There is so that was left out the movies it is mind blowing like Beverly's mom is alive who knew.

How far are you? Would you like to read it together? Well since you are further, update each other.

I’m a little less than halfway in. I’m at the point enters they initially meet back up as adults at the restaurant. I’m enjoying it, and so far I think this may be one of the best standalone Stephen king books I’ve read so far. I like hearing more about the history of town, and also how It returns every 27 years or so

I'm at Derry:The Second Interlude. Mike Hanlon is giving information about the crime increasing in Derry and how the local sheriff doesn't understand the serious ans severity of the murders/missing children reports. He's also tempted to call everyone but he wants to be 100% sure first. I'll be at part 3 next. I am on page 420. I must agree I love the town's history. This is an amazing novel! King has definitely outdone himself.

I am on pg 449 and I cannot believe Mike's father saw it during the Black Spot Fire. Wow so that's proof It has always been around.

I was thinking the same thing - Pennywise always seems to be present during bad events. I’m wondering if he somehow influences other people to do evil things, like in this case. Also how a lot of the townspeople are uncaring or cold. I wonder if there is some connection there?

I have always thought that It influenced people and made them do evil things for his gain. I just finished reading for the night Bill Denbrough just got to the Chinese restaurant and was greeted by Mike Hanlom. I loved their warm embrace.

I also liked how Dick Hallorann was mentioned in the second Interlude her was the cook from the Shining. I don't know if you remember him.

We are about at the same place then, I just finished up a little past the reunion lunch. I haven’t read The Shining yet but it’s on my short list of next King books to read.

Did you catch when Bill Denbrough was theorizing about the 7th member being present and he brought up the name J.C.Penny? I wonder who he was referring to? I have a copy of the Shining and I've read very far but never finished the book.

That's good that we're at the same place basically. I finished at the third part of the chapter "Ben Hanscom gets Skinny".

What other books do you have on your short list of Stephen King to read? Maybe we could read them together. I have alot of Stephen King books.

I was also wondering about the seventh member! Not sure who that could be. I’ve been read the dark tower but took a break in the series to read Salem’s Lot and It. Next I’m going to read Wolves of Calla to get back in the series.

I wonder if they were referring to It. I have some of the dark tower books and Salem's lot (which I almost finished but for some reason I put it down.)

I am at the part now in It where everyone is starting their walking tours. Where are you in the book?

I’m just a little past that - I’ve got through 2 of the walking tours I think.

Okay. I've always wanted to get into the Dark Tower series but when I tried to read Gunslinger it started off so slow. It didn't grab me. Does the book have a slow start and get better overtime? I felt the same way about Tommyknockers so I put the book down.
How are you liking the grown up portion so far? Do you believe IT has touched all of their life's?

The Gunslinger is like an introduction to the series. It’s very slow and doesn’t pick up until towards the end. But the series is definitely worth the read!

I'll give it another try. I am excited to read the series

I loved the world building and tone of The Gunslinger, but thought it was a slow start to DT series - I also had a difficult time getting through it when I read it. The next books are much better and easy to follow - I’m up to book 5 and have loved books 2-4. It’s worth it to get through the first one.
I like when they’ve met as adults - it’s nostalgic, and almost gets me nostalgic also as I read it. It’s interesting to see how they reflect and remember events from their childhood.
I’m still trying to figure out why only certain people can see It? Like in the restaurant when the waitress couldn’t see everything coming out of the fortune cookies

Yes, I thought that was weird that was weird that the waitress couldnt see what was coming out of the fortune cookies. Also, how Mike Hanlon's father could see IT during the Black Spot fire.
I took a break yesterday from reading I plan to continue reading chapter 11 tonight so I'll update you on my progress.
I'll give the Gunslinger another try. I really want to read the Dark Tower series.

We can definitely read Salem's Lot together. I also want to read Dead Zone.

I am reading Beverly's walking tour, I didn't know It went by so many names.

That’s a good point about Mike’s father seeing It - I didn’t think about that. I hope we are able to find out who can see him and who can’t.

Also, when It told Bev it was a dying breed and it came from another planet. I wonder if it went by Robert or Bob Gray in the past since it's been in Derry for so long. I can't wait to learn It's backstory. I am currently in the middle of Richie Tozier's walking tour. Where are you in the book?

Also, the vulgarity and perversity in Beverly's walking tour creeped me. It was very unexpected and made my skin crawl.

I’m past all the walking tours, now I’m on a section talking about Bowers and where he is at. I thought it was interesting how their instincts brought them to certain places - like how Bill just a asks the girl her favorite store, and he finds the bike there. Or how Mike knows to buy a tire patching kit

I can't wait to read about crazy Bowers and learn more about him.

I am now on Ch. 12, Beverly's husband is close to Maine, Bowers is on his way to kill the lowers club, and Bill's wife is on her way. I hate what Beverly's friend Kay endured. I wonder what IT will do to their spouses?

I just finished ch. 12, I stopped at the 3rd interlude tonight. Where are you at in your reading progress? I must say the book is getting really good.

Just finished third interlude, not too long but it was good. I agree that it is picking up and getting more interesting.

What do you think is going to happen to the spouses and bowers?

Good question! There was a pretty ominous tone there, so I think that Rogan and her will meet and something bad will happen. He is a pretty evil person and capable of anything

I feel like Rogan is a supporting antagonist and I honestly feel like Aundra is putting herself in danger. It may use her to control Bill. I think It will use Bowers until he's done with him.

Agree, I think It will use Bowers to do things or go places that It isn’t able to do.
I just read about the vision of how It arrived - pretty I interesting, glad that part was in the book

I have been pretty busy the last few days. I am almost done with the third Interlude. I think like most evil forces they use you until they can't anymore. So, I think that's what is going to happen to bowers. And I can't wait to read about how It got to Derry. I remember It saying it was a dying breed and it came from outer space

I finished the book last night - really enjoyed it, 5 stars. I wasn't totally crazy about the ending, but not bad. Below is my review...

This is not a story about a monster or a clown. IMHO, this is first and foremost a story about the bonds between childhood friends and how life changes as you progress into adulthood. It is about how the face of the world slowly eats away at the imagination and wonder that begins in childhood. It is about facing your fears and the power of friendship. It was so much more than I had anticipated.

I have to admit, I was hesitant to read this. I had already seen the movies, so I thought I already knew the story and didn't want to commit to reading such a long book. Well, I just finished reading It last night, and I'm so glad that I did.

It had great characterization, vivid imagery, and was the scariest King book I've read. The way the townspeople either ignore or can't see the chaos all around them is off-putting. In addition, I liked the connections to the Dark Tower...

This is my favorite King book out of all that I've read (excluding DT series). Highly recommended.

Eric wrote: "I finished the book last night - really enjoyed it, 5 stars. I wasn't totally crazy about the ending, but not bad. Below is my review...

This is not a story about a monster or a clown. IMHO, this ..."

I'm glad you liked this one, Eric! I'm in the middle of Wolves of the Calla right now. This is my second journey to the Dark Tower. We definitely need to buddy read another King book in the near future. There's still quite a few that I've never read....

Derrick wrote: "Eric wrote: "I finished the book last night - really enjoyed it, 5 stars. I wasn't totally crazy about the ending, but not bad. Below is my review...

This is not a story about a monster or a clown..."

Derrick, I'd definitely like to do another read with you. I'm actually just about to start Wolves of Calla, just missed you on that one! It's my first read of the Tower series.

You all should join the Dark Tower buddy read if you haven’t already. A few of us are on The Waste Lands already

I just picked the book back up. I've had a busy few weeks. I will let you know when I finish Eric. I'm in chapter 14 now.

Eric wrote: "Derrick wrote: "Eric wrote: "I finished the book last night - really enjoyed it, 5 stars. I wasn't totally crazy about the ending, but not bad. Below is my review...

This is not a story about a mo..."

Once I finish Wolves of the Calla, I'm actually going to take a short break from King. I have some nonfiction organized crime books and I should probably read at least one. I let you know when I'm ready!

Amelia Harrell, I would love to join the Dark Tower buddy reads after I finish IT.

That would be awesome!